Roasted Garlic & Feta Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Tender roasted chicken with sweet garlic and creamy feta in a light savory sauce with fresh herbs.

# What You Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garlic

06 - 1 large head garlic
07 - 1 teaspoon olive oil

→ Pasta

08 - 12 ounces short pasta such as penne or rigatoni

→ Sauce & Assembly

09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
11 - 7 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
13 - 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
14 - Zest of 1 lemon
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
16 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
17 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Slice the top off the garlic head, drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil, wrap in aluminum foil, and roast for 30-35 minutes until soft and golden.
02 - Rub chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon olive oil, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Place on a baking sheet and roast alongside the garlic for 22-25 minutes until cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
03 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain in a colander.
04 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Add cherry tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, letting them soften and blister.
05 - Squeeze roasted garlic cloves from their skins into the skillet. Mash gently and stir into the tomatoes and onions. Pour in chicken broth and simmer for 2 minutes.
06 - Add drained pasta and sliced chicken to the skillet. Toss to coat, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed for desired creaminess.
07 - Remove from heat. Stir in crumbled feta, lemon zest, parsley, and dill. Season with additional black pepper as desired.
08 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra feta cheese and fresh herbs.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The slow-roasted garlic creates a sweet, caramelized depth that elevates the entire pasta sauce.
  • Fresh lemon zest and dill provide a bright, zesty contrast to the rich and creamy feta cheese.
  • It uses simple, fresh ingredients to create a restaurant-quality meal in under an hour.
02 -
  • Don't forget to reserve the pasta water! The starchy liquid is essential for creating a smooth, cohesive sauce that binds the ingredients to the pasta.
  • Blister the tomatoes until they just start to pop; this releases their natural sugars and creates a delicious base for the sauce.
  • Squeeze the roasted garlic directly into the skillet to ensure none of that rich, caramelized flavor is lost.
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